90 survey respondents
Location: 703 Broadway St Ste 710, Vancouver, 98660 WA
EIN: 23-7456468
89%
11%
40 hours
Median
89%
11%
90%
10%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
This was a rigorous application process that included an in-depth review of our finances and proforma. Throughout the process, our program officer accessible and open to questions. The process included a two-hour site visit with multiple people from our organization including the Board Chair. It's a time commitment but we found that our proposal was stronger because of it.
Positive leader in the field, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
Sample budget documents from the website were helpful - but even more helpful would be templates that we can download so we ensure they are properly formatted. Second it would be great if this funder would reconsider funding administrative costs in grants.
Take your time preparing your proposal!
Our program officer thoroughly vetted our proposal in advance of the internal review process, asking additional questions and allowing us to submit additional information so that our proposal was sound.
50
We greatly appreciate this feedback and your suggestion regarding creating templates for requested documents.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
The process is extremely thorough, you'll have to think through your project in detail, including how it will be sustainable. You'll have to do analyses on your organization to fill in the required attachments. But, the Program Director working with you is very helpful, it's not adversarial. It feels like if they think your project fits, they want to help you succeed.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
I wonder if there should be a smaller process for smaller grants for organizations not ready for the whole process. Maybe you have this. For emerging organizations that you would help develop.
They are willing to make substantial investment, strategic game-changers for your organization.
100
We appreciate this feedback and we are grateful to hear that it was helpful. Your perception is correct, our primary goal is to find ways to help nonprofits succeed in their mission to serve the common good of our communities through partnership and relationship.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding an abbreviated process for smaller grant awards.
Reviewer 2338 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
We contacted another recent grantee first (from the project list on the website) and asked them about their experience. That gave us a really good idea of how to proceed. Then we submitted a letter of inquiry, and moved forward from there. It was a really smooth process.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Montana
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
We found the website really clear. We followed the criteria and guidelines laid out there. The program officer was exceptionally helpful as we navigated the various steps.
Good
This funder has a pretty complicated application, but the program officer we worked with was incredibly approachable and helpful. This funder really wants to help nonprofits in their region and you feel that sincerity in all their communications with you.
Reduce the complexity (and number) of financial tables in the application.
Because the application is rather complicated, it's helpful to 1)first talk with another recent applicant (list on website) to get advice, 2) see an example of a successful proposal, 3)have time to prepare self/staff/board for the time and planning needed to prepare a competitive application.
Their program officers are genuinely interested and excited about the projects they work with and about helping your project succeed.
40
We appreciate this feedback regarding our application process and we are pleased to hear that our updated website made the process smooth and efficient.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
As other reviewers have mentioned, do reach out to grants officer before you submit an LOI and ask questions! If you are invited to submit a full proposal, make sure you've got all of your project plans and funding goals fully firmed up before preparing the application. If your application for funding is accepted, your program director will be of great help in getting you to the finish line for consideration by the board of trustees.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
40
Thank you for this feedback and helpful insight to future applicants.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Reach out to the funder before you apply. Consult, build a relationship in order to make this a collaborative process. They are very helpful and will help improve upon not only your application, but your plans overall.
Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
The grant officer's are very communicative, supportive and informative.
Good
They were very good at guiding us through the complicated process of applying and getting the award/receiving process started. They are also good at hiring caring, intelligent staff members who work with grantees through their processes.
20
We greatly appreciate this feedback, especially these kind words about our staff!
Reviewer 3525 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
It is helpful to connect with a program manager before going through the LOI process to make sure you are on the right track with your proposal idea. Program managers are very helpful with their guidance! The application process was thorough and organized. I think it was possibly more challenging for us this year due to the pandemic because of the difficulty projecting future growth. Overall, the experience with the application process was very good.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Even during the pandemic, the program managers were easy to connect with via phone and email.
Good
I absolutely love that the M. J. Murdock Charitable trust understands the importance of funding overhead (fundraising positions). This is the only way to truly accomplish our organization's mission.
Possibly help with donor literacy / donor education.
Communication!
40
We greatly appreciate this feedback and we welcome your suggestion regarding increased emphasis on donor engagement.
Reviewer 6809 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
The process is more about building trust and a relationship than the particulars of a project. The application is exceedingly thorough and will help you think through your project as well as ensure that you have accountability in place. Make sure you have the right project and the time to do a thorough job.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Montana
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Program staff is very approachable and offers valuable insights and advice.
Good
The thorough application process ensures that the Trust is aligning with the right organizations to fulfill its mission.
The process for requesting funds and reporting is confusing in the portal.
The role of the program director - who presents a project like a thesis defense - allows for all the most important and strategic information to be delivered for informed decision-making and sharpens the focus of the project.
40
Thank you for this feedback. We are always looking at ways we can streamline and improve our grant application process and we will take these suggestions under advisement.
Reviewer 8495 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
You will be required to prove that your organization is sustainable without the help of the Trust. Not only must you have your financials in perfect order and establish smart strategic planning, you must prove that the inner workings of the organization are thriving and healthy (they will look at your buy-in of your board).
Gives more than money, Responsive
Washington
Current or former grantee
Funded for greater amount
2020
Average
The Trust is extremely good at accomplishing its philanthropic goals and certainly leads by example in having a well-oiled machine behind the curtain.
Good
The difficulty of the application and length of the process reinforces standards in nonprofit funding that encourage inequity. The Trust must address its "white boys club" persona in lieu of a rapidly evolving DEI-minded world, and to best serve the nonprofits who are doing DEI right.
The Trust should address its "white boys club" persona in lieu of a rapidly evolving DEI-minded world. While catering the bulk of its educational opportunities to "Christian" orgs was part of the founding mandate, they are missing incredible opportunities to assist/educate organizations that fall outside of the "Christian" title, but who might still be doing work that aligns with Christian values. I would encourage the Trust to lift the veil, create resources and materials that encourage diversity, equity and inclusion of all walks of life, and distance themselves from the former patriarchal/colonization mentality.
Not all project managers are created equal. If you happen to get a project manager that is not as responsive as you'd like, don't wait for them. Keep pushing, emailing, calling until you get the attention you need. And send them every bit of collateral you've got!
The Trust provides many educational opportunities for leaders and boards of interested nonprofits.
100
We are grateful to hear that our emphasis on investing in capacity building for nonprofits – including grants and enrichment activities – was helpful for your organization and your work. Our primary goal is to find ways to help strengthen nonprofits so that they can continue to serve the diverse needs of our community in innovative and sustainable ways and we are glad to see that this approach is serving your organization well.
The mission of the Murdock Trust is to support nonprofits that strengthen the social, cultural, spiritual and educational fabric of the Pacific Northwest in innovative and sustainable ways in keeping with our donor’s intent. The Trust does fund and support faith-based and secular organization alike. We do not discriminate against faith-based groups nor do we seek to impose our views upon them. Based on that philosophy, the Trust does fund organizations representing a variety of faith-based backgrounds, including but not limited to Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Catholicism. About 70% of our grants go to secular organizations while approximately 30% of Murdock Trust grants are made to faith-based organizations.
We are also well aware of the need to foster a culture of inclusion and bring diverse voices to the table. While no organization is perfect, we do actively seek to engage in fostering an inclusive community for all through a number of ways, led by our staff who represent a wide diversity of backgrounds and experiences and are increasingly reflective of the communities we serve. There is also broad diversity in the advisory, adjunct and faculty in all of our programs.
As a founding principle, the Trust does not direct an agenda or work in our sectors. We recognize that the needs of the Native population of Alaska differ from those of rural Montana which differ from those of urban Seattle. Our approach has been to seek out those working on the front lines of the communities we serve, listen to their advice on the work that would best suit their community, and come alongside and partner in those efforts. We prefer to listen to the strategic priorities of those “on the ground” in the communities we serve and let their strategic priorities drive the agenda and work. Through our tenure, this has helped drive significant investments in support of communities of color as well as rural communities and communities struggling with significant economic challenges just to name a few. We honor the diversity of philanthropic giving and resist calls for homogeneity in the work of philanthropy.
The Trust also invests in hosting 40-50 convenings throughout the year on a variety of topics. For each of these gatherings, we turn outward to our network and seek recommendations of new voices that we should know or could benefit from partnering with. These voices often provide counsel to us as we evaluate new funding opportunities or areas of service. As a result of this engagement, about 30% of all grants awarded by the Trust every year are made to organizations that are new to us. We welcome and encourage any and all suggestions or recommendations of individuals or groups doing positive work in the community who we may not yet have had the pleasure of meeting.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
This application is a lot of work, so good to be sure your project is a good fit
Friendly, Likes site visits
Oregon
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
Financial documents required are different than requested by any other funder, so it really takes a long time to reformat and refigure everything for your application.
Capital projects
50
We are grateful to hear your experience was positive overall and we appreciate this feedback regarding our financial document process.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
It is very helpful to speak with staff before starting the LOI process. Based on conversation and feedback from the LOI, we narrowed our grant request/focus, which helped us to be successful.
Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Alaska
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
Very thorough and detailed review! It does sometimes feel like a lot of work, but by the end, you feel sure you have all your ducks in a row!
35
Than you for this feedback!
